Brady, who lives in Baxter, was in solo private practice handling criminal defense, family and juvenile court cases from 2007 to 2013, according to her application.

She has a bachelor's degree from Tennessee Tech and a law degree from Nashville School of Law.

She's been working with DCS since 2013.

"I would like to be a part of a more well-balanced court system and be a good example for young female lawyers who look to the courts for guidance," Brady said in her application. "I would love to see this administration make the commitment to appointing more women to the bench."

Bray, a Cookeville resident, has been in private solo practice since 2005, handling criminal and family law cases. Prior to that, he worked in the 13th Judicial District Attorney's Office.

He has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Tennessee Tech and a law degree from Nashville School of Law.

"Practicing law and helping those in the Upper Cumberland is important to me; and that is why I am seeking this position, so I can use my wide and balanced experience and understanding to help people by being fair and impartial to everyone," Bray said in his application. "I believe that having been on both sides of the courtroom representing both victims and defendants, at the lowest points in their lives gives me the balanced experience needed as a judge to be fair but firm."

Shipman, who lives in Cookeville, is a private practice attorney with Shipman & Crim with offices in Cookeville as well as Nashville, handling primarily criminal cases as well as some federal civil rights and serving as co-counsel on personal injury cases. Prior to that, he was a solo practitioner.

He holds a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and a law degree from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago.

"Approximately 90 percent of our cases are criminal which has provided me a deep understanding of the law, both substantively and practically," Shipman said in his application. "I believe one way to help my community and reduce recidivism is to expand programs which are targeted at specific problem areas, such as mental health treatment."

Vires, who lives in Crossville, is an attorney with Patton & Hyder in Crossville, handling criminal, family, wills/estates/VA, disability and personal injury cases. Prior to that, he worked at the law offices of Vires Law and Bean, Smith and Burnett. He's also worked as a staff judge advocate, labor law attorney and deputy chief of the general law division and area defense counsel for the U.S. Air Force

He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from University of Tennessee in Knoxville and a law degree from the UT law school as well.

Vires is a retired major with the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1991 to 2011, earning various medals during that time.

"I believe justice depends not only upon the law, but on who is interpreting and applying the law," Vires said in his application. "A judge should have experience in the field of adjudication. I have almost three decades of experience in criminal matters, both as a prosecutor and defense counsel. The right to receive a fair trial is important, of course, to a criminal accused, but is equally important to the state as well."

Qualified applicants for criminal court judge must be licensed attorneys who are at least 30 years of age, have been residents of the state for five years, and are residents of the 13th Judicial District, according to the Tennessee AOC website.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will interview the applicants at 9 a.m., Tuesday, May 21, inside Tennessee Tech's Bell Hall in the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing. The interview process that day will include a public hearing, following which the commission will forward three names to Gov. Bill Lee for his consideration in appointing the next judge.

Judge Patterson's retirement is effective June 30.

After the governor's appointment to Patterson's position, an election to fill the remaining two years of his eight-year term would be held in 2020.